The knights and squires all joyous and gay, made beautiful songs and poems, and four judges were chosen that those which had merit might be rewarded. [[150]]
Then they sang and said much good of their lord.
And their sons were noble knights and gentle.
Then it happened that one of those knights (whose name was Messer Alamanno), a man of much valour and goodness, loved a very beautiful woman of Provence who was called Madonna Grigia; and he loved her so secretly that none could guess the truth.
It came about that the squires of Puy plotted together to deceive him and make him boast of his love. They spoke thus to certain knights and barons: we pray you that at the first tournament which is held, it be ordered that there be boastings[2]. For they thought: Messer So and So is a great knight, and will do well on the day of the tourney, and will be exalted with delight. The knights will take up the boasts; and he will not be able to hold himself from boasting of his lady.
Thus it was ordered.
The tournament took place. The knight won honour and was victorious. He was excited with joy. [[151]]
In the repose of the evening, the knights began the boasts: such a one of a beautiful castle; another of a fine goshawk; another of a lucky chance.
And the knight could not hold himself from boasting that he had such a beautiful lady.
Then it happened that he returned to pay her homage as was the custom. And the lady dismissed him[3].